So you’ve decided what you want to make (or you may already be making)! and you’re getting ready to open your Etsy shop... Then you reach the bit where you have to give the shop a name! and suddenly - the whole process grinds to a halt.

You like one name, but what if it sounds a bit silly? Another one makes sense now, but what if you sell something different later? You ask someone what they think and they suggest a completely different name.

Brilliant... More options!
Exactly what you needed 😅

If choosing your Etsy shop name has become a project all of its own, let’s make the decision a bit easier...

A good Etsy shop name is easy to read, say and remember, fits the business you’re building, and passes the practical availability checks.

That gives us something useful to work with.

You can actually check those things (which is a lot more helpful than staring at a list and waiting for one to feel perfect).

I’m Steph from Handmade Bosses, and here’s how I’d work through it...

What does your Etsy shop name actually need to do?

Imagine someone buys a pair of earrings from you, wears them to lunch and their friend asks where they’re from.

Can they remember your business name? Can their friend work out how to spell it and find you?

That’s one of the jobs your name needs to do.

It also gives people a first impression.

A soft, delicate name might make sense for embroidered baby gifts.

Whereas bold, sweary mugs might need a different feel...

So the question I’d start with is:

“Does this name make sense next to the products I want to sell?”

Put the name beside a few of your product photos.

Sometimes a name sounds lovely on its own, then you see it next to your actual work and realise the two have very little to do with each other (useful to know before you order the packaging).

Start with what you sell and who it’s for

Before you start combining pretty words, write this sentence:

I make [type of product] for [person, occasion or use].

For example:

• I make botanical embroidery for people who love bringing nature into their homes.

• I make colourful clay earrings for people who enjoy a statement accessory.

• I make knitted baby gifts for people buying something special for a new arrival.

(and keep it plain).

This helps because you’ve now got something specific to name - you can look at a possible shop name and ask whether it fits that business.

If you keep getting stuck because you haven’t decided what you’re actually selling yet, I’d start there.

Choosing a name that somehow covers candles, dog bandanas and wedding stationery is going to be a struggle 😂

My guide to building your first Etsy product range will help you work out what belongs together - and once that’s clearer, come back to the name.

Three starting points for Etsy shop name ideas

Right, get a few possibilities down.

Start with words connected to your craft, materials, style or the people you make for... Your own name can be part of it too if you like the idea of building the business around you.

Here are three ways you could put those words together.

1. Your name plus something connected to your craft

Something like AdaThreadStudio brings your own name together with a word that hints at what you make.

I’d start by asking whether you want your name to be part of the business?
If that feels right, try it alongside a word connected to your craft and see how it sounds.

2. An image or feeling plus the type of product

Take LittleLeafKnits
You’ve got a little hint of nature alongside a word that tells people what sort of products to expect.

Think about whether that combination suits your work?
Put it next to your product photos... Does it feel like it belongs there?

3. Words connected to your style or making process

Something like MeadowAndKiln could bring together a nature-inspired style and a pottery-making process.

This gives you room to suggest the feel of the business (but just check that the name makes sense alongside your products, and let your photos and shop description fill in the details).

Please note that these are all made-up examples to show you the approach - I haven’t checked whether they’re available, so just use them as prompts for your own ideas.

Aim for five possibilities to begin with - that’s enough to compare without turning your kitchen table into a naming agency!

Then run them through these checks.

Check 1: Can people read it and say it?

Say the name out loud as though you’re introducing your business at a craft fair.

“Hi, I’m Steph, and my business is called…”

Does it come out easily? Or are you immediately explaining which letters are silent?

Now write it without spaces, as it would appear on Etsy.

Can you still see where one word ends and the next begins? Do the words accidentally join up into something you really didn’t intend? (defo worth checking that one).

I’d also say the name to someone without showing it to them, then ask them to write it down.

If they struggle, think about what happens when a customer tries to recommend your shop to a friend... A slightly simpler spelling could save a lot of confusion later.

Check 2: Does it fit where your business is going?

Let’s say you make knitted baby blankets.

You’d quite like to add matching hats and booties once you’re up and running.

A name focused entirely on blankets might feel restrictive fairly quickly, whereas something connected to baby knitwear gives you a bit more room while still making sense for the products - and that’s the sort of future planning I mean.

You don’t need to account for every craft you might fancy trying between now and retirement, just think about the next sensible additions to your range.

And if you’re happy making one type of product? Your name can reflect that too.

A huge product range isn’t a requirement!

Check 3: What would a customer expect?

This is where a little feedback can help.

Choose a few people who could realistically buy your products and ask:

• What would you expect a business with this name to sell?

• What sort of style does it suggest?

• Which name do you remember a little later?

“Do you like it?” gives you much less to work with!

Someone can dislike a name because it isn’t their taste, even when it makes complete sense for your business.

I’d pay more attention if several people expect children’s products and you’re selling gothic home decor (for example)... That tells you something about the impression you’re creating.

Take the useful feedback, then make your decision.

You don’t need to keep asking until everybody agrees either - as that could take a while. 😆

Check the practical bits before you commit

Once you’ve got a few names that feel like a good fit, check you can actually use them - and please do this before you get attached to the matching stickers.

Etsy’s shop name requirements

Etsy currently requires shop names to contain 4 to 20 characters, with no spaces or special characters.
You can check your shortlist against its current shop setup requirements.

Is the name available on Etsy?

Try the name during shop setup.

An empty Etsy search result doesn’t prove it’s available... Names previously used by an open shop remain unavailable even after that shop closes - and Etsy explains this in more detail in its shop name guidance.

So if you can’t find a shop with that name but Etsy still won’t let you have it, that may explain why...

Other businesses and trade marks

Search for businesses using the same or a similar name - especially if they sell similar products.

Check trade marks too... In the UK, you can use the official trade mark search.

If you’re elsewhere, use the relevant register for your country.

An available Etsy name or domain doesn’t establish that you’re legally clear to use it, and If a possible conflict comes up, make sure to seek out advice from a trade mark professional before committing.

Your website and social media names

Check whether you can use a recognisable version of your name on the platforms you plan to use. You can check domain availability now even if having your own website is a job for later.

And please don’t read that as an instruction to launch five social media accounts this afternoon. 😂

We’re checking whether your business can be easy to recognise across the places you’ll use... You can build those up as you need them.

What if your favourite Etsy shop name is taken?

Yep, it's annoying! Especially if you’d already pictured it on the thank-you cards.

Go back to the other names on your shortlist, or try a different combination of words that still fits your business.

If you already have an established business name, adding something relevant like “Studio” or “Designs” may give you an Etsy version you can use.

You’ll still need to check the whole name properly though...

If another business selling similar products has a very close name, I’d choose a more distinct option - as just changing one or two letters could leave customers struggling to work out which business is yours.

Just make it easy for them to find the right one. 🙂

What matters less than you think?

There are a few things I’d stop asking your shop name to do...

Explain your entire life story: A name can have a lovely personal meaning - It can also be a combination of words that suits your work.
You don’t need a moving origin story ready for anyone who asks.

Get everyone’s approval: Once you’ve checked that people understand it and can remember it, your friend preferring option three doesn’t mean option one is suddenly wrong.

Mention everything you sell: Your product photos, banner and descriptions help explain the shop too (you can leave some of the detail to them)!

Basically, give the name a reasonable job to do - It becomes much easier to choose when you stop expecting it to explain the whole business by itself.

Can you change your Etsy shop name later?

Yes.

Etsy currently allows up to five changes through your shop settings after opening - but be aware that further changes need Etsy's Support Teams approval.
Here's a quick link for you to see its current rules for changing your shop name. 😊

I’d still give the decision proper thought now, as changing your name later can mean updating packaging, branding and other profiles etc. which is work you could save yourself. 😬

But knowing there is a way to change it can take some pressure off - You’re allowed to make a considered decision with what you know about your business today.

Your next step: make the shortlist

Here’s what I’d do now:

1. Write your one sentence about what you make and who it’s for.

2. Come up with five possible names.

3. Narrow them to three by checking readability and fit.

4. Get a little useful feedback and complete the availability checks.

5. Choose the strongest option and move on to your next setup task.

If a name fits your products, people can read and remember it, and you’ve done the practical checks? then you’ve got good solid reasons to choose it!

At that point, I’d make the decision... Opening the notes app again probably isn’t going to tell you much more. 😂

Once you’ve chosen, my step-by-step guide to starting an Etsy shop will walk you through what to do next, and you can also have a look through my free resources for your handmade business when you need a hand with the next bit 😊

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